Here’s one for the guys – the ‘hers’ necklace (above). Express the depth and of your relationship by wearing this handmade, artisan necklace created from a substantial bar of recycled sterling silver and dangled from an authentic piece of black Greek leather. Designed and made by thebadgirl. (more…)

Rich Morrison (above, R) is an international surf artist known for his experimental art and an appreciation for nature.

Morrison’s latest piece is a functional surfboard made from 72 beer cans. Rich was able to construct this unique board with the aid and expertise of surfboard maker Gary Seagraves.

Rich’s love for the environment (and maybe, beer) inspired the use of recyclables to create this tasteful ride.

The beer cans are coated in polyurethane and epoxy to provide a sturdy base for the board.

It’s part of Morrison’s Enviro Surf Art Series, and will be tested in the ocean very soon. Surf on over to the Enviro Surf Art Series on Facebook.

related: other products made with recycled materials

via: trendhunter

• Climate change ‘down under’…Iconic Platypus Feels the Heat (photo above) – bbc
• As Rivals Unveil Hybrids, Toyota Boosts Prius – npr
• Government recognizes the need for renewable energy investment…Germany Scraps Plan to Cut Wind Industry Subsidies – reuters
• More record flooding…North Dakota River to Surpass Record Levels – cnn
• Junk plastic could become tomorrow’s fuel…On the Road to Turning Plastic Into Diesel – msnbc
  
• Cool News: Dinos May Have Been Warm-Blooded - livescience

Check out more of our eco news.

Last month, Southeastern Florida’s Green Drinks sponsored a benefit for GiveLove, a nonprofit established by Patricia Arquette to help those devasted by Haiti’s 7-point earthquake in January 2010.

Arquette made a presentation to the approximately 250 people in attendance, outlining the impressive impact GiveLove has made, and the progress it plans to continue to make — providing eco-sanitation and sustainable housing to many in the Port Au Prince area.

The harsh reality is that those living in this stricken area are in dire need of not only housing, but clean water, and sanitation facilities – services necessary for a healthy, clean and safe environment – things that we more fortunate folks don’t necessarily need to worry about on a daily basis.

I had the opportunity to talk with Arquette (above) about the Green Schools and various low-cost sustainable programs and training solutions they’re providing in Haiti.

She’s not only a driving force, but also an active participant in helping with the dirty work — and she could really use our support.

It feels good to give, and know that you’re making a big difference. Find out more – open your eyes and your heart – GiveLove.

Upcycled screws, nuts, bolts and spikes make this gnarly little piece of hardware quite the punk fashion accessory. Just keep it a safe distance from your frilly sleeves – and frillier friends. You’ll find it in sterling silver or rose dipped gold at NYC’s End of Century.

More great eco fashion.

If it weren’t a great enough achievement for a vehicle manufacturer to design an electric car, creating a solar-powered charging station for that car should earn them even more environmental respect. Last year, the Italian carmaker Pininfarina unveiled its prototype Nido EV as part of their “Nido Development Programme” for electric cars. Pininfarina imagines a future where cars like the Nido EV will proliferate to the benefit of both people and the environment.

Keeping true to this mission, this year has seen the auto designer successfully develop the Antares solar charging tree. The Antares is a 108 square foot “tree” of solar panels, under which parked cars can be charged. The unit holds 20 photovoltaic solar panels and can produce 4.6 kilowatts, which can power two electric cars to travel a distance of 50 miles each. The Nido and the Antares together are the ideal partnership for large-scale sustainable transportation. Amazingly, these are only the initials steps in Pininfarina’s plans for creating truly sustainable forms of mobility.

related: solar charging parking station via: cnet

Mohop – $140-190
(above) Kick off your summer with hot sandals like these – the soles are made of great sustainable wood heel with recycled tire rubber. The best part is that it’s like getting 5 new pairs of shoes! They come with 5 sets of ribbons you can change out and I am sure you could get creative with your own. For those with bigger budgets they will also custom make shoes for your feet.

(more…)

Chuck Templeton’s found a new path and it’s green. He and and business partner Arun Sivashankaran are launching  OhSoWe.com, a new site that helps neighbors start borrowing tools and other household items.

To participate, you register, confirm your address via mail or online, and then email an invite to your neighbors (yes, you need to know their email addresses). The invitee follows the same process to sign-up, and after a while you have a virtual e-neighborhood of folks who can begin to share stuff. It’s a great way to save money and go easy on Mother Earth. Check it out @ ohsowe.com.
via: NJ Times

Related (previously on altCon): NYC Freebies at the Tool Library

• Could privacy issues stand in the way of cost-saving innovation? Is the Smart Grid too Smart for Us? – cosmic log
• The ethanol industry doesn’t need a handout – they’ll make $$ anyway…Corn Farmers, Ethanol Makers Likely OK With no Subsidies – yahoo! news
• Brainy Parrots Can Think Like 4-Year-Olds – livescience
• Sharing the cost…Oil Services Company to Pay BP $75 Million for Gulf Oil Spill – reuters
• All I saw there were a bunch of striped bass…Montauk Project: Film Alleges Mind Control, Time Travel and Alien Encounters at Military Base – aol.com
• Science and politics.Climate Change: Public Skeptical, Scientists Sure – npr

More eco news.